World Cup ticket applicants surpasses astronomical figure: FIFA official

The number of soccer fans formally seeking a ticket to this year’s World Cup is now approaching one billion.

Ross McCall, the FIFA World Cup 2026 Executive Director of Commercial Operations, told The California Post on Wednesday they’ve now officially received over 500 million applications for seats to games at this summer’s event in North America — and the demand does not appear to be slowing down anytime soon.

“We actually just surpassed over 500 million ticket applicants for the World Cup,” McCall said. “Which was an incredible milestone. It’s the most applied for World Cup that we’ve ever had. 

“The demand is certainly there.”

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The games will kick off in June across cities in three major countries — the U.S., Canada and Mexico — and 48 teams will compete in a total of 104 matches.

McCall said the number of seats FIFA is making available for purchase is “about 6.8 million,” meaning less than two percent of those looking to attend games will be afforded the opportunity to buy their way in at face value.

“Quite frankly,” McCall said, “it might be the largest event, period, in history.”

Kathryn Schloessman, the CEO of the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee, said once fans apply for tickets, they get lumped into a ticket lottery of sorts. She said there have already been two drawings, and a third is expected to take place in February.

“There may be some more later on,” she added. “Down the road.”

Due to face value tickets being so scarce, the secondary market for the games has exploded. The Associated Press reported last week a ticket to the final on FIFA’s resale marketplace was being listed for over $200,000.

Both Schloessman and McCall told The Post if soccer aficionados can’t ultimately score a ticket, participating in Fan Festivals and Fan Zones at host cities might be the next best thing.

At a press conference at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Wednesday that was emceed by actor Mario Lopez and attended by soccer legends Mia Hamm, Cobi Jones and Julie Foudy — several of the sites for some fan engagement opportunities were revealed.

Venice Beach, LA County’s Earvin “Magic” Johnson Park, The Original Farmers Market and multiple other locations in and around Los Angeles were given the nod.

Officials at the press conference said they anticipated it all could eventually bring over $1 billion to the city.

“The World Cup is the largest and most-watched sporting event on the planet,” Inglewood mayor James T. Butts said. “And it will bring business from every corner of the world into our small businesses, cultural institutions and communities.

“The impact will be astounding.”

Especially for those lucky enough to land a ticket.